Choicez

About the Book

CHOICEZ is the true story of Aginah Carter-Shabazz, a woman who lived a life of glamour and violence, until one day it all came crashing down. The moving memoir reveals lessons learned about the price women pay for making their man’s choices their own.

Aginah masterfully weaves readers along her journey. Aginah Carter-Shabazz is one of Philadelphia’s most prominent cosmetologists was raised in West Philadelphia “down the bottom” and became a teen parent. She later lived with a militant turned hustler and in her presence, he is killed in the bloody drug-war orchestrated by the so called Black Mafia at Club Harlem in Atlantic City on Easter Sunday, 1972. After fearing for her own life, Aginah marries a powerful Philadelphia first lieutenant later appointed to “brother minister” in the Nation of Islam.

Throughout the memoir, Aginah learns and grows, but the lessons of her poor choices don’t fully take hold until, as a woman in her forties. The purpose of the book is help others learn to make better choices much earlier.

About the Author

Aginah Carter-Shabazz was born to Donald and Elizabeth Carter in Philadelphia. Aginah began her professional career in 1978. She had an interest in criminal justice, but always wanted to discover the mysteries of having beautiful hair. She attended LaSalle University with a desire to major in Criminal Justice. But a stronger voice pulled her away, and she enrolled at Wilfred Academy Beauty School to pursue the study of Cosmetology. And as they say, “The rest is history.” Aginah opened the first Natural Hair Salon on the east coast, and has served her loyal customers for over two decades. She is an intuitive entrepreneur who uses her own experience and growth to fuel and guide her vision. Never one to shrink back from a just cause, Aginah has always conveyed strength of purpose to people of all ages. Justice For Her, an award winning documentary, is the directorial debut of this Philadelphia native. She was inspired to direct and produce her first featured documentary following her daughter's arrest and trial in a capital punishment case. This documentary film reveals that the choices women make bring consequences never imagined in their wildest dreams. For additional information please visit the website http://www.justiceforher.org. Today her motto, “Working from the inside out,” has taken on an even greater meaning and a far wider perspective. Aginah uses that message to influence the ideals of young people, helping them to understand that the choices they make in their hearts and minds will affect their present lives as well as their ability to enjoy a positive, productive future.